You must credit Hugo Lloris for his part in the victory after he pulled off a couple of top saves, but you have to say that the Watford attackers should have put one away.

Andre Gray, Richarlison and Abdoulaye Doucoure all had chances to make the breakthrough in the first half, and you have to think that on another day it might have gone their way.

Yes it’s a poor record, but based on the evidence on display at Wembley, Javi Gracia’s side are not far from putting it right.

Will Hughes

There were a number of decent displays in the Watford team, but no one took the limelight more than Will Hughes.

(Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

The midfielder had no right to make as much of an impact in this game as he did, but his movement and quick-thinking certainly put the Spurs midfield on red alert.

Hughes operated just in front of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue, and certainly didn’t shy away from the physical challenge of facing up to Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele; in fact, he caused them real problems.

As well as his battling qualities, Hughes showed real ability on the ball as he burst out of midfield and linked up with Richarlison and Femenia on the flanks.

The former Derby man has been renowned as one of England’s most technically gifted players since coming through the ranks at Pride Park, and it’s pleasing to see him showing his class on such a big stage.

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Calls on social media were tipping him for a surprise place on the England plane heading to Russia this summer; that might be premature, but based on tonight’s evidence he will be hoping to kick on next year and be knocking on the door of the three lions squad.

Doucoure/Richarlison

There’s been countless stories in the national press about Abdoulaye Doucoure and Richarlison being tracked by clubs such as Tottenham and Manchester United, and while their display at Wembley wasn’t quite the finished article, they certainly showed glimpses of what the headlines are about.

Doucoure looked like a proper box-to-box midfielder as he won aerial duels, got his foot in and even got himself into a position to get on the scoresheet.

Richarlison in action (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

It wasn’t his best game, but what he did show was an ability to control a match against a top opponent.

As for Richarlison, it was his first start in over two months, but he also showed what he’s about.

It was a slow start for the winger, but Richarlison grew into the game and should have got himself on the score-sheet on a couple of occasions.

Both players are reportedly set to receive big money offers to move on this summer, but if Watford can retain the duo and use them to build a team going into next term, then I’d like to think that the potential is there to push for a top half finish next time around.

Deulofeu

It was a huge surprise for everyone associated with Watford to hear on Friday’s press conference that the Spaniard was on course for a shock return against Tottenham.

Frankly, it screamed of a manager desperate to add some attacking quality to his misfiring Hornets – but how wrong I was.

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The Barcelona man was introduced just after the hour mark and changed the game for Jav Gracia’s side.

He started behind Troy Deeney, but then was utilised as an advanced forward; running onto the flicks from Deeney and the through-balls from the midfield.

Time after time Deulofeu broke the offside trap to find himself in behind the defence, and he was unfortunate not to give his team the breakthrough after rounding the keeper and rolling home; only to find that this time he’d been caught offside.

Considering it was his first appearance in over two months, the forward looked incredibly sharp, and for me he’s certainly shown enough to start in Saturday’s home clash with Newcastle.

A broken man

Considering the nature of the performance, you’d think Javi Gracia had been thumped 5-0 by his demeanour when he arrived for his post-match press conference.

Granted, the pressure of not winning in seven is enough to make any manager sweat, but he should certainly take heart in that performance.

In my humble opinion, Gracia deserves the summer to implement his own style in pre-season, while also being given the opportunity to shape the squad in the way he wishes.

It seems desperately unfair to judge him on the work being done with someone elses squad, meaning he deserves an opportunity to make the team his own before being truly judged on his record at the club.

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